Arc generator electrode



April 39, 1929. H. o. STORM ARC GENERATOR ELECTRODE Filed Jan. 5, 1927 CAJ Patented Apr. 30, 1929.

UNITED STA? Fil A `ilioation filed .anuarv 3.92?. Serial No This invention relates generally to electrodes Isuitable for use in arc generators which are used in producing high frequency electrical oscillations.

Arc generators generally utilise two or more electrodes enclosed within a chamber. For controlling the generation of oscillations, it is necessary to adjust the length ofthe frag and for this purpose at least one ofthe electrodes is provided with an adjust: ale mou ting. Cooling is effected by circulating fluio. such` as water, through passageways il the electrode. In addition to providing a longitudinal adjustment for one of the electrodes, it is desirable to be able to bring the electrodes into Contact with each other for striking an arc.

It is an object of this invention to devise a fluid cooled electrode which is continuously rotated about its axis.

lt is a further object of this invention to provide fluid cooling for a continuously rotated arc electrode which will inake im possible for fluid leakage to occur within the arc chamber.

It is a further object of this invention to devise a novel form of rotatable fluid cooled arc electrode which may bo adjusted longitudinally and independently shifted inwardly ofthe arc chamber to strike an arc.

Further objects of this invention will appear from the following description in which I have set forth the preferred en'ibodiment" of my invention. lt is to be understood that. the claims are to be accorded a range of equivalents consistent with the state of the prior art.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a transverse cross sectional view showing an arc electrode constructed in accordance with this invention and extending through the wall of an arc chamber.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 2 2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a detail view taken along the line 3 3 of Fig. 1.

Figure Ll is a wiring diagram showing diagrammatically the manner in which the are electrodes are associated with the electrical circuit.

The invention comprises generally arc electrode insertable through the wall of an arc chamber and which is adapted to be continuously rotated about its axis. For adjusting the length of the arc gap during lpllldSi PAvlnllT QFFICE.

ilCl TO FEDER-AL. TELEGEAEH ATEGN CF CALFOR-NIA.

ELECTEGDE.

15ans.

saine intocontact with another electrode and tl s rike an are. F luid for cooling purpos continuously circulated through pass vays in a stationary external head b ik. dns of which the fluid is conducted to the tip or the electrode. rlhe entire elect-rode snucture may be removed as a unit from the chiinber to permit inspection or repair.

Referring to the specific embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, there shown an electrode structure 10 inserteble through the wall 11 of an arc generator chamber. ',he electrode structure includes a rotatable body member 12 to the inner end of 'which is secured an electrode vip i3, this tip being preferably of metal although itl may he of other substances such :is carbon. The tip 13 is detachably secured to body member 12 by suitable means such as the coupling 14g. so that it may be removed ttor 1i'eplaoemeiit. The intermediate portion trie body member 12 is slidably fitted into an outer shell 167 the 'body member being g rovided with a key i7 engaging a slot 18 in the shell 16 so that bot-h body member and shell wi rotate together. The inner portion of the sl ell 16 is also splined to a power driven sleeve 19, as by means of a key 20 slidably fitting a groove 21 in the shell 16. Sleeve 19 is journaled in a bore 23 provided in the extension 2li of the chamber wall 11, and is drive-n by suitable means such `as a motor shaft 26 carrying the worm 27 engaging a worm gear 28 formed upon the periphery of the sleeve. rlhe shell 16 is further journaled in a ring 29 which is slidablydisposed in the bore 30.

rlhe sliding lit between the shell 16 and the sleeve 19 and between ring 29 and the bore 30 is intended to permit limited longitudinal movement of the body member 12 for the purpose of moving the arc electrode tip 13 a limited amount to strike the arc. rlhe arc electrode is always returned to its original position after being shifted inwardly by means of a compression spring 3.J tending to urge the ring 29 outwardly, the shell 1G being provided with a suitable annular shoulder 33 against which the ring 29 normally abuts. rThe electrode structure is retained within the bore 39 by means et a latch member 34 pivotally mounted to the chamber wall as at 36 and biased by means ol spring 37 to normally remain in engagement with the outer face ot' the annular shoulder 33. vBy pushing downwardly upon the latch 34 the sleeve 16 together with the body member 12 and its associated parts may be removed from the chamber.

The arc electrode is adjusted by moving the body member 12 relative to the shell 16. Wvhile a variety et eX edients may be employed for this adju Lment the particular i'nechanisn'i wn includes a rotatable wheel 38 coupled to the outer end ot' the shell 16, and having a th f-d engagement with the outer portion or tue body member 12. For example, the wheel 38 is shown as having a threaded engagement with an externally threaded nut 39. An annular shoulder 41 upon the wheel 38 is adapted to engage an annular flange 42 upon the end of the shell 16 whereby the wheel is coupled to the shell in such a manner as to permit rotation relative thereto, A set screw 43 serves to retain the nut 39 within the wheel 38 until it is desired to tal-re the electrode structure apart 'tor repair. The nut 39 is also internally threaded to engage threads 44 upon the eX- ternal portion of body member 12. Therefore, when wheel 38 is manually rotated relative to body member 12 and to the shell 16, the body member 12 will be advanced into the chamber or retracted, depending upon the direction ot rotation ot the wheel.

Fluid is admit-ted to the electrode structure for cooling the tip 13 by means or" a nonrotatable head 46 to which are connected the fluid inlet and discharge pipes 47 and 48 respectively. A coupling connection is provided for connecting the non-rotatable head 46 and the external end oit' the rotatable body member 12, this coupling member comprising for example a sleeve 49 having threaded engagement with the head 46 and provided with an annular shoulder 51 engaging an annular flange 52 upon the external end of body member 12. In order to prevent leakage of fluid between body member 12 and the head 46 a packed joint is provided for the coupling between these members. The packed connection in this instance includes a tube 54 having its one end fixed with respect to the head 46 and ha fing its inner end journaled within a bore 56 provided in the body member 12. An enlarged bore 57 in the outer portion of body member 12 provides a space about the tube 54 for packing 58. The bearing surface between the head 46 and the body member 12 is increased by providingT an extended collar 59 upon the inner face of head 46, the inner face of this collar being adapted to bear upon a ring 61 inserted between the collar and the adjacent end of the packing 58.

Circulation of cooling fluid to the. electrode tip is provided for by a fiuid pipe 62 secured at its outer end to the head 46 and communicating with the inlet pipe 47 by means ot passageways 63 and 64. This pipe extends through tube 54 and bore 66 in body member 12 and bore 67 in electrode 13, these bores being substantiallyr larger in diameter than the diamete.I ot pipe 62. Tube 54 is in communication with the discharge pipe 48 through passageways 68 and 69 in the head 46. Fluid, such as water, entering through pipe 47 will therefore be discharged through pipe 62 upon the inner end of the electrode tip 13 and will then pass back through bores 67, 66 and tube 54 to the discharge pipe 48. In F ig. 4 I have shown a conventional form of arcigenerator sj 4tem with which the electrode described above may be incorporated. Thus the rotatable electrode 10 and another electrode 9 have been shown as disposed within an enclosed chamber 71, which usually contains a gaseoiis atmosphere such as hydrogen or a hydrocarbon Current is supplied to the electrode trom suitable means such as a direct current generator 72, this generator also serving to energize the magnetic field 73. An oscillation circuit 74 is coupled to the electrode in any of the well known ways.

In operating the device the arc may be init-ially struck by forcing the head 46 inwardly to move electrode tip 13 into contact with the other electrode o1 the arc. After an arc has been established the head is released to permit the body member 12 and electrode tip to return to normal position. The electrode tip is continuously rotated by the drive shaft 26 which applies power to body member 12 through sleeve 19 and shell 16. Water or other cooling fluid is circulated through the relatively stationary head 46 by means of pipes 47 and 48, the fluid being,r discharged upon the electrode tip through pipe 62. Adjustment of the normal position of the electrode is secured by rotation of wheel 38 rela.- tive to body member 12 and shell 16 by means of which the body member 12 is advanced or retracted through the shell 16. The entire electrode construction may beI removed from the chamber for inspection or for making necessary repairs, by moving latch 34 downwardly to disengage the annular shoulder 33 after which the shell 16 may be slid from ring 29 and sleeve 19. It should be noted that the limited sliding movement of the shell 16 which permits striking of the are is independent of the adjustment of the electrode tip 13. In other Words, if the correct adjustment is obtained by turning wheel 38, this adjustment will always be reestablished when the shell 16 returns to normal position after striking of the arc.

It will be appreciated that the packed joint between the electrode and non-rotatable head is far removed Jfrom the heat of the are flame. Furthermore if leakage should occur from this joint, it will be exterior and not within the are chamber.

I claim:

1. In an are generator, an electrode, means for rotating said electrode, and means for circulating a cooling liquid through said electrode.

2. In an are generator, an electrode, means for rotating said electrode, means for permitting longitudinal movement of said electrode and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said electrode.

3. In an are generator, an electrode, means for axially rotating said electrode, means for adjusting the position of said electrode, and means for circulatinga cooling iuid through said electrode.

4. In an arc generator, an electrode, means for rot-ating said electrode about its axis, means for adjusting the position of the electrode in an axial direction, means for temporarily shifting the position of the electrode without affecting said adjustment and means for circulating a cooling fluid through said electrode.

5. In an are generator, an electrode rotatable about its axis, a, stationary electrode, means for permitting limited movement of the rotatable electrode towards the stationary electrode, means normally biasing said rotatable electrode to a position remote from the other electrode, means for adjusting the normal position of the rotatable electrode and means for circulating a cooling Huid through said rotatable electrode.

6Y In an are generator, a hollow electrode, means for rotating said electrode about its axis, and a tube extending into said electrode for conveying cooling fluid to the same.

7. In an are generator, a hollow electrode, means for rotating said electrode about its axis, and a stationary tube extending into said electrode and terminating near the end of the same for conveying cooling fluid to the electrode.

8. In an arc generator, a chamber, a. rotatable sleeve journaled to said chamber, motor means for driving said sleeve, an electrode removably inserted through one wall of the chamber and adapted to be rotated by said sleeve, and means :t'or passing a cooling Huid through the electrode.

9. In an are generator, a hollow electrode adapted to extend through the wall of a chamber, a relatively stationary head secured to the outer portion of the electrode, said head having passageways for introduction and removal of cooling fluids from the interior of the electrode, and means for rotating said electrode about its axis.

l0. In an arc generator, the combintion of a hollow electrode inserted through a wall of va chamber, means for continuously rotating said electrode, means for adjusting the distance which said electrode projects into the chamber, means for quickly sliding the electrode in an axial direction, means for returning the same against a fixed stop, and means including a non-rotatable head :tor introducing cooling liuid into and removing it from the interior of the electrode.

l1. Tn an are generator, the combintion of a rotatable hollow electrode extending through the wall of a chamber, a non-rotatable head attached to said electrode, said head having passages for introduction and removal of cooling fluid from the interior of the electrode, and a fluid tight joint between the electrode and head, said joint being disposed to discharge leakage exteriorlj of the chamber.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

HANS OTTO STORM. 

